Hinsdsale, IL — Trainers driving their horses to the Du Quoin State Fair Monday morning (Aug. 28) with the truck radio on got the good news from the weatherman: “It’s sunny and clear today.”

After rain canceled five of the six days at the mid-August Springfield State Fair, the “all clear” news was well appreciated for Illinois horsemen who will send their horses out for only the second time in the month of August, not including half-mile county fair meets.

The 16-race card of the jam-packed Du Quoin State Fair program shines the spotlight on 10 ICF stakes, mostly for 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

The Lt Governor’s Cup for state-bred freshman pacing fillies lured 32 entries, necessitating a three-race split with a $16,666 purse on each and there appears to be no “locks” in any of them.

The seventh race first division morning line favorite Sleazy Sister (Casey Leonard) landed the outside 10-post with a trailer in the field. Stevie Mae (Atlee Bender), a 1:56.2 winner in her last start, didn’t draw much better with the nine post.

Brendasblazingstar (Juan Franco), Nae’s Rendezvous (Kyle Husted), Illini Judy (Richard S. Finn), Adalecia (Kyle Wilfong), Gin Always Gin (Jordan Patton), Sour Grapes (Phil Knox), Gorgeous American (Cornelius Cavett), Itty Bitty Secret (Cordarius Stewart) and First Of Her Name (post 11, Travis Seekman) are their challengers.

The ninth race second grouping is a “take-your-pick” event with Big Flicka (Mike Rogers), Amy Mooss (Gary Rath), Feisty Val (Jordon Patton), Jimmylai (Casey Leonard), Shark Queen (Tim Roach), Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted), Cupid’s Revenge (Travis Seekman), Counselor EM (Cornelius Cavett), Unhynged Zenzero (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Taran (Kyle Wilfong) and Hypeyourbestieup (Jamaica Patton) in the second tier.

The third split (race 10) is headed up by Chickabell (post four, Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Tasha (post seven, Cordarius Stewart) who have traded wins the last two times they’ve met back in late July.

They’ll be tested by Karatop Mooss (Travis Seekman), Somestarsandi (Casey Leonard), Carli Bay (Freddie Patton Jr.), Ticktock Ticktock (Atleee Bender), It’s Crystal Clear (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley August (Jared Finn), Fox Valley Tessa (Kyle Wilfong), CW Wise Lady (Juan Franco) and Sage’s Sandstorm (post 11, Gary Rath).

The First Lady’s Cup for first season trotting ICF fillies will go as a pair of $25,000 contests with the sixth race first division appearing to be the tougher of the two with a field composed of Dandy’s Girl (Gary Rath), Whiskey Lou (Curt Grummel), Zora Moon (Jamaica Patton), Stand By Your Man (Mike Brink), Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart), Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti), Change The Tune (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Tiegen (Atlee Bender).

The eighth race second grouping will see Sally Sunshine (Tim Roach), Lous Enchantress (Wyatt Avenatti), Dejoma (Cornelius Cavett), Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard), Mississippi Model (Jerome Daniels), Ally Baba (Travis Seekman), Gjlindagrit (Kyle Wilfong) and Astra Viking (Mike Brink), in that order, battle it out.

The 3-year-old Illinois bred championships on the line Monday are two $15,000 divisions of the Time Dancer for pacing fillies, the $30,000 Pronto Don for trotting colts and geldings and the $30,000 Windy Skeeter trot where Radiant Diamond (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Shania (Cordarius Stewart) are expected to get a good portion of the betting public’s support.

Also, to be decided are the $7,000 older ICF trot championships where Springfield titleholders Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong) and Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) look for a sweep in their respective State Fair divisions.

First post is at 4 p.m.